Loom.



J. G. BROOKS.

LOOM.

APPLICATION TILED MAY 24, 1911.

1,096,283. Patent ed May 12, 191 i 1 3 SHEETS-SHEET 1. F1 g; 1

Witnesses. I Inventor.

dohn O. Brooks,

J. G. BROOKS.

LOOM.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 24, 1911.

1,096,283. Patented May 12, 1914.

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UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE 1 IT JOHN c. BROOKS; OEPATEBSON, NEW JERSEY.

LOOM.

Specification of Letters l atent.

- Application filed May 24, 1911. Serial No. 629,150.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN C. BRooKs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Paterson, in the county'of Passaic and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Looms, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to looms and more particularly to a new typeof loom in which a current of gaseous fluid is employed for inserting the weft between the warp threads. In looms as commonly constructed the weft thread is inserted in the warp shed by mechanical devices of various kinds the most common comprising a shuttle which is driven from one side of the loom to the other through the shed. These shuttles are necessarily heavy and if there is any obstruction upon the lay the shuttle is likely to be deflected and break the warp threads and cause other serious damage, and sometimes serious injury to operatives about the loom.

In accordance with my invention I pro-, vide means whereby a current of gaseous fluid carries the weft thread through the warp shed without employing any mechanical device passing between the warp threads. As a convenient embodiment ofthe principles of my invention I shall herein illustrate and describe means for causing a current of fluid such as air to carry the loose thread through the warp shed.

I do not wish to be understood asindicating that my invention is limited to the em,- bodiment illustrated for so far as I am aware I am the first to provide means for carrying a loose thread end through the Warp shed without the employment of mechanical devices passin through the shed.

The main object of the invention is to provide a new and improved loom in which the weft is'inserted without using any me-' parts passing between the warp.

chanical threads.

Another object of the. invention is; to provide means whereby fluid pressure may be employed to insert the weft threads between the warp threads.

The novel features of the invention willbefully disclosed in the following-specification. and the accompanying drawings and par-.

ticularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring have illustrated one embodiment of the principles of my inventiong- -Figure 1 is agyiew of an improved weft insertingdevice apto the drawings inwhich I- plied to one sideof a loom taken partly in section on the line 1 1, Fig. 3. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same taken partly in section on the line 22 Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a side ele-.

vation taken from the opposite side and showing the lay and breast beam in section. Fig. 4 is a sectional view showing the valve mechanism in detail and taken'on the line 44 Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a detail view of the filler member of one of the nozzles. Fig. 6 is a detail view showing the cam for operating the presser lever. Figs. 7 to :12 inclusive are diagrammatic views showlng the various steps in the operation of my improved weft inserting device. Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic view showing one arrangement of warp and weft threads in cloth woven on my improved loom.

Referring to the drawings in detail, 1 indi'cates the lay, 2 the breast beam, 3 the lay sword and 4' and 5 represent diagrammati Patented May 1.2, 1914;.

cally the harnesses for forming a shed in I the weft. 1

' At each side of the loom I provide weft inserting devices for causing a current of gaseous fluid to carry the weft through the warp shed and in the embodiment illustrated this means comprises a plurality of nozzles positioned to direct currents ofair through the warp shed with means for supplying air underpressure at predetermined times and means for supplying definite lengths of weft thread to each currentlof air. As a simple method of forming these nozzles I provide a tubular member 6 divided-by' a vertical partition 7 into two parallel passages 8 and 9 at its forward portion. The rear portion of this tubular member constitutes an air chamber. In each of these passagesfS and9 I provide a filler member fol-reducing thepas'sage to form a-nozzle,

one such filler member being shown at 10 in Fig. 1. ..Between the air chamber and the .air passages ornozzles valves are.provided to control the admission of air to the nozzles and mechanism foroperating these valves at predetermined times is provided: In the embodiment illustrated substantially semicircular valves 11 and12 are shown. These valves are secured respectively to rock shafts 13 and 14 projecting through the sides-9f the tubular member and having bearings m'the partition 7. These shafts are rotated to open the valves to admit air to the nozzles at nism hereinafter to be described.

t predeterminedtimes by operating mechav currents of air.

lar member 15 which is divided into two.

compartments 16 and 17- by a longitudinal Wall. This-tubularmember is secured to or made integral with the tubular member 6 forming the nozzles and air chamber. Weft passages 18 and 19 connect these compartments with the nozzles Sand 9. In these compartments are vertically movable slack forming rods 20 and 21 respectively having wefteyes 22 and 23' in their upper ends. Fromvany convenient source of supply weft threads 24 and 25 are led through inlet passages 26 and 27 into the compartments 16 and 17 through the weft eyes 22 and 23 and thence through the weft openings 18 and 19 into the nozzles 8 and 9. These slack forming rods are given vertical movement at predetermined times. by operating mechanism hereinafter to be described.

In some types of weaving with my im proved loom it is desirable to provide a thread cutting mechanism for cutting the thread at certain times. In the embodiment illustrated I provide a mechanism whereby the thread maybe cut during alternate picksfrom each nozzle after the thread has been blown part way through the shed, this mechanism being so arranged that it will not. interfere with the current of air to prevent the loose cut ends of t-he'threads being blown the rest of the way through the warp shed. This thread cutting mechanism is illustrated as comprising a blade 28 secured to the outer ends of the fillers 10 and companion blades 29 and 30 secured to theheads 31 and 32 of vertically movable rods 33and 34 which are moved upwardly at certain times after the current of air has carried the thread as far through the warp shed as it is free to go, the thread at such-times being held at one end by the warp threads and at the other end by various resistances which are offered to the movement of the thread between the source-of supply and the nozzle.

The. heads 31 and 82 are of such a sizethat theymay move entirely above the currents of air issuing from the nozzle so that after the threads are cut the currents of air will carry the ends clear through the warp shed. Each filler member .10 is provided with a shoulder 35 just back of the blade 28 and this is engaged by a pad 36 on the corresponding head. These parts are so proportioned that the thread when severed will be clamped and held 'by the pad operating against'the shoulder and the thread will continue to be held during the downward movement of the slack forming rod. By this means the end of the thread will be retained in the nozzle during the downward move- .secured in the frame.

supply.

- In looms of this type it 'is desirable to provide an auxiliary device to cause those weft threads which are doubled around the outer warp threads to be drawn tight so that a firm and even selvage edge will, be produced. In the construction illustrated a presser arm 37 is arranged to press against the outside warp threads during each movement of the lay. This arm is pivoted )to a bracket 38 secured to the breast beam and is moved forward and back by a bracket 39 secured to the lay. A cam plate 40 secured to the breast beam and having a cam slot 41 guides the arm as shown in Fig. 6 in such a manner that as the arm moves forward it will move toward the Warp threads thereby pressing the outer warp threads toward the center While the weft is being blown through. The outer warp threads resume their normal position as the lay moves forward and a slight tension is thus put upon the weft thread especially at the edge of the cloth. As shown in Fig. 6 thebracket 39is provided with spaced arms which engage the lever to operate it at proper times.

Any suitable operating mechanism may be provided for-causing the several parts described to perform their functions in proper order. In the construction illustrated the operating mechanism comprises a drive shaft 42 on which are mounted Rotatably the same diameter, and the sprocket Wheels 46 and 52 are of the same diameter, Where fore cam cylinders and 49 rotate in unison. A rod 54 is secured in the frame adjalot cent and parallel to the cam cylinder 45.

On this rod one pivotally mounted levers 55, 56, 57, and 58, each hav ng a pro ection resting upon the cam cylinder in positlon to be engaged by theprojections 59, (30, 61-

and 62 respectivelyduring the rotation of the cam cylinder. The levers 55, 50, 57, and 58 are connected to operate respectively the slack adjusting rods 21 and 20 and the valves 14 and 13. The connections between lever.

and slack adjusting rod 21 consist of the link 63 and a lever 64 pivoted on the rod 65 The connections be tween the lever 56 and the slack adjusting rod 20 consist of the link 66- and a lever 67 pivoted on the rod 65. The connections between the lever 57 and the valve 14 consist be positioned slig on the rod 70, link 75, arms 76 and 77, and

a rock shaft 78 to which these arms are secured, link 7 9 and an arm 80 secured to the rock shaft v13. The rock shaft 78 is secured in brackets 81 secured tothetu-bular member 6. The cam )rojections 59 and 60 may htly in advance of the cam projections 61 and 62 respectively if desired as indicated in Fig. 1 so that the slack forming devices will be operated slightly in advance of the valves.

The thread cutting devices are operated by the cam cylinder 49 and in the structure illustrated each cutting device is operated during alternate operations of the corresponding valve. The cam cylinders are so timed that each thread cutting device will be operated to cut the thread during the time that the valve is open. These cams are also so timed that the thread cutting head will be held in elevated position unti the slack forming rods return to lowest position, thus holding the endof the thread during the downward movement of the rod. To operate'the thread cutting devices levers 82 and 83 are pivoted on the rod 84 secured. to a bracket on the lay sword and have projections engaging the cam cylinder 49 in 4 to said sliding rod 33. T prefer to prov-ide position to be operated by the cam projections 50 and 51 respectively. Lever 82 is connected to operate the sliding rod 34 by means of the link 84 anda bra ket 85 secured to said rod. Lever 83 is connected to operate the sliding rod-33 by means of the link 86 and a lever 87 pivoted to an arm 88 of the lay sword and connected springs 89 and 90 to insure the downward movement of therods afterthe thread cutting operation as the friction of the thread cutting blades tends to hold these rods in elevated position.

In Figs. 7 to 12 inclusive the position of the weft threads during. the several stages of the operation of the device is diagrammatically illustrated. Fig. 7' illustrates the threads in position ready to be carried through the warp shed. Figs. 8 and 9 illus-. trate respectively the positions of the thread after one thread has been inserted .from each side, and after two threads have'beeninserted from each side. Fig.'10 illustrates the position of the threads just'before cut ting the first thread and Fig. 11 after cutting this thread and with another thread end inserted from the opposite side. Fig. 12

- represents the position after one complete cycle ofoperations. Fig. l3illustrates diagrammatically the position of the warp and weft threads in one form of cloth woven as above described. It will be obvious to one skilled in the art that numerous variations may be made in the order of inserting the threads and in the time of cutting the threads.- g

The operation of the device is as follows:

The cam cylinders 45 and 49 are rotated in unison by the driving shaft and the gearing previously described. As the cam cylinder 45 rotates the lever 55 israised by a cam projection 59. This operates to elevate the rod 21 permitting the necessary slack in the weft. At the same time, or immediately thereafter the lever 57 vis operated by a projection 61 to operate the valve 14 causing a current of air to pass through the nozzle and be directed throughv the shed formed in the warp. After the weft is carried through the warp shedv by the current of air the lay moves to beat up the weft and the harnesses move to change the shed. The levers 55 and 57in the meantime are allowed to return to normal position, closing the valve and moving the rod 21 downwardly to pull more weft from the weft supply. The free end ofthe weft being held between the warps will not be withdrawn by the action of the rod 21. A weft thread end is next blown in from the other side by a mechanism which is substantially a duplication of that shown and isbeaten in by' the lay. Upon a further rotation of the cam cylinder 45 the levers 56 and 58 are raised to operate the valves 13 and the rod 20 to insert another thread end is inserted from the other side of the.loom. Upon further r0- tation of the cam 45 the lever 55 is again operated, the rod 21 is raised, andthe thread 25 is carried by the air current half way through the warp shed as shown diagrammatically in Fig. 10. The cam projection 50 on the cam cylinder 49 now operates to lift the rod 34 thereby cutting the thread 25 and clamping theend thereof against the shoulder of the filler member as previ ously described. As the head 32 moves above the end of the nozzle a current of air carries the thread entirely through the warp shed as shown diagrammatically in Fig. 11 thus forming a selvage edge. The shape of the cam projection 50 is. such that the head 32 is held at elevated position clamping the end of the weft thread 25 until the rod 21 descends pulling another measured length of thread from the weft supply. A similar operation is repeated on the opposite side of the loom and one cycle of operations is completed. During the above described op erations the presser arm 37 operates to press in the outer warp threads during the insertion of the weft as previously described.

I have described one embodiment of the principles of my invention by which I am enabled to weave a cloth having selvage edges which sufliciently protect the edges of the cloth and I accomplish this obJect by means of at 100111 in whlch the usual shuttle or other mechanical element passing between the terms of the accompanying claims are to be broadly construed.

Having fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is zv 1. In a loom, the combination of an a1r chamber, air passage Ways therefrom, weft thread passage ways leading into said air passage ways, and means to control the passage of air currents through said air passage ways, and means to control the passage of weft-threads through said weft thread passage ways.

9.. In a loom, in combination, a pneumatic weft inserting device for continuous weft having a main passage way, an air inlet and a weft thread inlet each communicating with said main passageway, a valve at the air inlet, a feeding device for the weft, and separate means for controlling said valve and said feeding device.

3. In a loom, means to admit a succession of currents within warp sheds, means to control the currents, means to feed to the said currents weft threads, and means to control the weft feeding means.

4. In a loom, means to deliver a succession of air currents withinthe warp sheds and means to feed to said air currents, weft threads from a continuous stationary supply to be carried thereby within the warp sheds.

5. In a loom, a weft inserter comprising a nozzle having an air passage way leading into an air chamber, a valve within the chamber to control the air flow, from the chamber to the nozzle, a weft controlling chamber, having a passage way leading into.

said air passage way, a weft controlling device -within said weft controlling chamber, and means to operate said weft controlling device and means for operating said valve.

6. In a loom, a weft inserter having a passage way for a weft thread, an air chamber communicating with said passage way, a valve to open and close said communication, means to slacken the weft thread within the passage way to allow it to be carried therethrough.

7. In a loom, an air reservoir, a plurality of weft thread passage ways in communication therewith, a plurality of weft supplies,

the weft threads from which lead through said passageways, controlling means hetween the reservoir and passage ways, convices and cams whereby said rods and levers are actuated.

9. An air reservoir, weft thread passage ways communicating therewith, a weft cutter to grasp and cut the weft, a weft control to draw a predetermined length of weft from its supply and deliver it to an air current released from said reservoir through said passage ways, with means to control the communication between the air reservoir and weft thread passage ways, and separate means to actuate the weft cutter and Weft control.

10. In a loom a weft thread supply and a weft inserting nozzle communicating with a weft thread passage way located at the cloth making point, means to hold the weft thread between the selvage and source of supply, an air reservoir communicating with said passage way, a weft cutter to sever the weft between the passage way and selvage, and a cam controlled lever to contract th width of the cloth.

11. In a device of the class described the combination of means for forming a shed and means for blowing a Weft thread end through the shed.

12. In a device of the class described the combination of means for holding warp threads in position, means for moving said warp threads toform a shed, and means for forming a current of air to blow a weft thread through the shed. i

13. In a device of the class described the combination of means for supporting warp threads, means for forming a shed, a nozzle positioned to direct a current of air through said shed, a source of air supply for causing a current of air to issue from said nozzle and means for feeding a definite length of thread to the air current issuing from said nozzle.

14. In a device of the class described the combination of means for forming a shed, a nozzlepositioned to direct a current of air through said shed, means for holding a supply of weft thread, means for permitting a definite length of weft thread, to be fed from said supply to said air current at intervals, means for cutting the thread adjacent said nozzle and means for supplying air to said nozzle intermittently.

15. In a device of the class described the combination of means for holding warp threads in position, means for moving said warp threads to form a shed, a pair of nozzles arranged to direct currents of air through said shed, means. for alternately supplying air to said nozzles to produce currents of air passing through said sheds and means for permitting definite lengths of weft thread to be intermittently fed to the said air currents.

16. In a device of the class described the combination of means for supporting warp threads and for forming a shed therein, means for directing currents of air through said sheds from opposite sides thereof, means for feeding weft threads to said currents of air in definite lengths and means for severing said weft threads.

17. In a device of the class described the combination of means for holding warp threads in position, means for moving said threads to form a shed, a plurality of nozzles positioned adjacent each other to direct the currents of air through the shed, means.

for supporting a supply of weft thread for each nozzle and means to permit definite lengths of said weft thread to be fed to said nozzles successively, whereby the weft may be fed to said warp shed from said nozzles successively.

18. In a device of the class described the combination of means for holding, warp threads in position, means for moving said warp threads to form a shed,'means for directing intermittent currents of gaseous fluid through the shed, means for. supporting supplies of weft thread and means for drawing definite lengths of said weft thread from the supplies in rotation whereby the weft from different supplies will be fed successively.

19. In a device of the class described the combination of means for holding war threads in position, means for moving sai warp threads to form a shed, means for di rooting intermittent currents of gaseous fluid through the shed, means for supporting supplies of weft thread and means permitting definite lengths of said weft threads to be fed from the supplies in rotation to said currents ofgaseous fluid whereby the weft from different supplies will be fed successively, and means for severing the weft fed from each supply after alternate feedings of threads, means for moving said warp t reads to form a shed, means for causing a current of gaseous fluid to carry weft thread through the shed and means for pressing" the outer warp threads toward the other warp threads at predetermined times and afterward releasing the same.

21. In a device of the class described the combination of means for supporting warp threads, means for moving said warp threads to form a shed, means for causing a current of gaseous fluid to carry weft thread through the shed, and means to sever the thread and to holdone end thereof for a definite period.

In testimony whereof I have set my signature in the presence of two attesting wit nesses the 11th day of March, 1911.

JOHN c. BROOKS. 

